Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-01

Lanti Ira, Ira,
Hopsom stira, stira."
Dance and Jump,
Hop like rooster,
Hop like the skatan.
Perhaps this very instant-fOr Elsa
made no calculations in longitude and
time-Vader's mutter danced the baby
under her home roof; and none of her
people knew how faint, how outcast,
how bewiidered the eldest child felt
sitting on steps in q strange Ameri-
kansk town.
In Elsa's box Of clothing was the
finest sheepskin blanket her mother
cured by buttering and scraping until
the skin yielded soft like chamois
leather. 1t was lined with scarlet
flannel. She could see the store-room
OF her fathers farmhouse hung thick
ly with such heeces, and hear her
mother say she wished Elsa could
take more, since they had so little
money to send her. But Arne Sand
strom had sent the money to pay her
way, because he loved her so. They
were children together, and he WAS
held as dear as a, son in her own
family. Esa's mother never distrust-
ed him. How conld it therefore be
possible that Arne Sandstrom, after
sending for his betrothed, could be
marrying q Swcde Amerikann the
very evening Of her arrival?
In her intensely quiet fashion the
poor girl was wiping away tears as
fast as they dropped down her cheeks,
and now she lifted her head from the
step, coming to a decision.
She walked up on the veranda, her
feet sounding heavy and uncertain,
and stood at the door ready to
knock. Her piteous great eyes moved
from wall to wall of the ample dining
room, recognizing Svensk wooden
spoons and beautifully painted and
polished Russian bowls in various
sizes on the sideboard. Hard baked
Svensk bread, SO loved by the white
and firm Scandinavian teeth, and all
known luxuries, with unheard-
OF Amerikann things, smiled
at her from the glitter
ing tables. This Lena Lund would be
called mam2elle in Svadia; she was
very much above g poor yungfrau like
Elsa. Any man might be glad to mar
ry her. Still Elsa would not believe
Arne Sandstrom had forgotten his
betrothed.
She could see him from where she
stood, in an inner room with q back
ground OF fine furniture How beau
tilul he looked, all in Amerikann
clothes, and with soft dark gloves on
his hands, like very rich mani His
cheek was ruddy, his forehead white,
and the very round OF his carlow
we'll Elsa remembered it! Arne Sand
stro1n was happy: and laughing aloud
with other people. She heard his
voice while shes~stood just without,
so wretched her whole soul seemed
numb.
In perfect silence she waited. and
still saw him laugh and extend his
hand to have it shaken by one anoth-
err, until q figure came out of the room
where he was, to pass through the
dining-room, and she knew in an in
slant Otto Jutberg, who came to
America with Arne. Elsa put her foot
across the threshold and said, to call
his attention, "Otto.''
Otto approached the door and
looked curiously at her. One rope other
haxen hair hung down on her breast,
and she looked travel worn.
lotto Jutberg, I want to see Arne
Sandstrom.''
"Arne is going to be married in g.
few minutes" said Otto.
II know he is. But I want to see
,Arne Sandstrom. Tell him to come
here"
"Who is it?' pressed Otto, coming
nearer to her, and knitting his brows
inquiringly.
Don't you know me, Otto, when
you have been to my fathers nearly
every St. Johns Eve OF our lives?''
Elsa felt that she needed only one
more drop to her cup. and that was
for some voice to raise the derisive
song with which her countrymen
Knocked Scowney's, or inhabitants OF
q region the butt of all Svadia.
"a Scowen, scowen"-
one bar was enough to rouse sudden
rage in any Svensk.
But instead OF IA Scowen, Scow-
en- rising around Elsa's ears this en-
chanted night such din 81 outcries
was made by Otto Jutberg that peo-
pie ran to look in the dining-room,
and then to swarm around her.
+ Arne ,sandstrom leaped two chairs
and seriously Jared one table, to re-
ceive Elsa in his arms, when he kissed
her openly. :....S.: Tx
Bring me one Of the chairs I kicked
over" he exclaimed, 'sand let me set
the tired darling in it. I have been
looking for the letter which would tell
mo the time you intended to start.
Yes, this is my Elsa" he said, dis
playing her; .'and how did she End
her way in here alone? Mrs. Lund,
Elsa has comet as5 .ss il. IS
Yes. and she has been crying =
said the plump wife of Peter Lund,
pressing her hand. ut was enough
to break any child's heart TO reach
such q journeys end homesick and
unwelcomed.'
S Al this Elsa Inarads aua;nsf 81, q ~